ORLANDO, FL – JOH, a leading food brokerage based in Billerica, MA, which services clients throughout the Northeast, North Central and Mid-Atlantic regions, held a reception for its clients and partners Feb. 26, here, ahead of the annual SEPC Southern Exposure conference. Attendees were treated to a relaxed and convivial atmosphere as they prepared for the festivities of the popular SEPC event.

As the spring months approach, Divine Flavor is entering a key period in its produce calendar, with vegetable programs underway in West Mexico and the seasonal return of its exclusive Honey Pearl grapes from Chile.

Divine Flavor’s spring vegetable season in Sonora and Sinaloa is now in progress, centered on its hot-house and greenhouse programs. Core items include Bell peppers, mini peppers, cucumbers (Long English/European, Persian and slicer), tomatoes and yellow squash and Italian zucchini. 

Fresh produce remains a critical growth driver for food retail, with $97 billion in sales and a 2 percent increase in unit sales, according to Circana. FMI - The Food Industry Association’s The Power of Produce 2026, which is based on a survey of consumers about their produce purchases, debuted at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2026 event and reveals the category’s future is increasingly shaped by generational shifts in how shoppers discover, shop and engage with fruits and vegetables.

Florida Classic Growers Inc. invites SEPC Southern Exposure attendees to visit booth No. 207 for fresh sampling of its premium Rubies red grapefruit, including hand-sliced samples and freshly juiced grapefruit.

Rubies grapefruit are known for their deep red color, exceptional interior quality and balanced sweet flavor. Backed by generations of Florida growing expertise, the brand represents the company’s commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality citrus to retail partners and consumers nationwide.

ST. PETE BEACH, FL – The National Watermelon Association featured a women’s leadership session Feb. 20 at its 111th annual convention, here, which offered advice on how women can best advance their careers.

Harvest Master may be a young company, but its foundation is built on decades of combined experience, deep family ties to farming, and a clear vision for how today’s produce business needs to operate.

Formed in July 2024, Harvest Master is a business partnership between Daniel Zaragoza and Esteban Alvarez, who saw an opportunity to create something different in an increasingly complex produce landscape.